powder, sunshine for Targhee opening

Grand Targhee couldn’t have scripted a much better opening for its 45th season.

A huge crowd from Wyoming and eastern Idaho turned out yesterday to carve fresh powder beneath a brilliant blue sky. The Alta, Wyo., resort opened all of its lifts, with a 4-foot base on the north-facing slopes.

After several weeks of slogging through the backcountry and even up Snow King, shredders were elated to have lift service again. Skiers glided down runs with the crags of the Tetons and Jedediah Smith Wilderness in the distance. To the west, the view across the Gem State stretched for more than a hundred miles.

It seemed like only a short while ago people were mountain biking and dancing at music festivals on these same slopes. And after a summer spent hiking and pedaling to reach such heights, riding lifts was not taken for granted.

Targhee cautioned riders to watch out for obstacles; skiers nicked rocks on south-facing and wind-scoured slopes where snow cover is thinner.

A cold morning gave way to nearly spring-like conditions by afternoon, as riders basked in the sun and retired early to the Trap Bar. Above all, guests enjoyed the laid-back atmosphere Targhee is known for, winter or summer.

For crusty backcountry types who don’t get to Targhee often, the Sacajawea quad on Peaked opens up an impressive amount of terrain. From the north boundary off Blackfoot to the low-angle powder fields below Lightning Ridge off Peaked, there was plenty of powder to be found at the resort all day, even with a huge crowd by Targhee standards.

One of the most fun runs was a long and winding gully separating the base area from Sacajawea. It was like the Coal Creek motocross runout, only much longer. A real leg burner to help get in shape!